Multiple-reversing water slide

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an improved water flume ride having one or more reversing slide effects for producing surprising path reversals. In one embodiment, a water flume comprises a primary flume portion, an uphill embankment, and an adjoining secondary flume portion. The secondary flume portion provides a reverse flume path from the primary flume portion to create surprising directional changes in the ride.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates in general to water flume rides, and more particularly, to an improved water flume ride having one or more reversing slide effects.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Water slides, flumes and the like are popular ride attractions for water parks and destination resorts, particularly during the hot summer months. Water slides not only offer relief from the summer heat, but they also provide an exiting diversion from conventional pool and/or ocean bathing activities. Typically, a bather or rider slides his body and/or a flexibly riding mat or tube (“ride vehicle”) along a sliding surface along a predetermined shallow water flow path defined by one or more generally downward directed flumes. The flumes carry water from a starting pool at some desired higher elevation to a landing pool or run-out at a desired lower elevation. The water is typically continuously recirculated from the lower elevation to the higher elevation using one or more pumps and then continuously falls with gravity from the higher elevation to the lower elevation flowing along the slide/flume path.

[0005] Recent years have witnessed a wide proliferation of such water flume rides, as families have sought out more and more exiting and stimulating ride experiences. Thus, there is an ever present demand for different and more exiting flume ride designs that offer riders new and unique ride experiences and that offer park owners an ability to repeatedly draw increasing numbers of ride patrons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention provides an improved flume ride and slide effect which provides flume riders a new and unique ride experiences unlike any other they have experienced before. The flume ride according to one embodiment is characterized in that it has multiple reversing slide effects such that the rider's perceived slide path terminates and then reverses direction at unpredicted intervals. In particular, a flume path is provided with a downhill portion culminating in a short uphill embankment portion. Beyond the uphill embankment portion, the flume ride is capped or otherwise terminated by a wall, plug or other structure. Alternatively, the portion beyond the embankment portion may be open or otherwise configured to give the impression that the ride path is incomplete, under construction or otherwise disjoined so as to scare or confuse riders.

[0007] In reality, the uphill portion is long enough and steep enough that it depletes the rider's kinetic energy before the rider reaches the end of the uphill portion. Thus, the uphill embanked portion also includes a generally downhill embankment portion rejoining an adjacent lower flume which allows a rider to ride up and then down the embankment to the adjoining flume path.

[0008] In operation, as the rider approaches and enters the uphill embankment portion all of the rider's kinetic energy is eventually converted to potential energy. Once all of the kinetic energy is depleted, the rider returns downward along the downward embankment portion to the lower flume. In this manner the rider receives the impression that the ride path is continuing forward, only to be surprised when the rider has insufficient kinetic energy to traverse further up the uphill embankment portion and slides backwards to a new lower flume. For convenience of description, this effect is called a “surprise” effect or multiple reversing slide effect.

[0009] The remaining portions of the flume ride may repeat some of the same or similar effects or other effects as desired. Preferably, the various flume segments and slide effects have sufficient gradient such that overall ride duration is predictable to the ride operator. Thus, the ride in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention can sustain relatively high rider and/or ride vehicle throughput with start intervals of between about 10 to 20 seconds, and more preferably about 15 seconds, being possible.

[0010] For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0011] All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Having thus summarized the general nature of the invention and its essential features and advantages, certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description herein having reference to the figures that follow, of which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a water flume ride having multiple reversing slide effects in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a side profile view of the water flume ride of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of a reversing slide effect of the water flume ride of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the water flume ride of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an integral triple tube ride raft vehicle for use with the water flume ride of FIG. 1; and

[0018]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an integral quadruple tube ride raft vehicle for use with the water flume ride of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] FIGS. 1-4 are various perspective, profile and plan views of a water flume ride having multiple reversing slide effects in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated embodiment of the invention contemplates an improved flume ride which provides flume riders a new and unique ride experiences unlike any other they have experienced before.

[0020] The flume ride generally comprises a primary flume path interrupted periodically by multiple reversing slide effects such that the rider's perceived slide path terminates and then reverses direction at unpredicted intervals. In particular, a flume path is provided with a downhill portion culminating in a short uphill embankment portion. Beyond the uphill embankment portion, the flume ride is capped or otherwise terminated by a wall, plug or other structure. Alternatively, the portion beyond the embankment portion may be open or otherwise configured to give the impression that the ride path is incomplete, under construction or otherwise disjoined so as to scare or confuse riders.

[0021] In reality, the uphill portion is long enough and steep enough that it depletes the rider's kinetic energy before the rider reaches the end of the uphill portion. Thus, the uphill embanked portion also includes a generally downhill embankment portion rejoining an adjacent lower flume which allows a rider to ride up and then down the embankment to the adjoining flume path.

[0022] In operation, as the rider approaches and enters the uphill embankment portion all of the rider's kinetic energy is eventually converted to potential energy. Once all of the kinetic energy is depleted, the rider returns downward along the downward embankment portion to the lower flume. In this manner the rider receives the impression that the ride path is continuing forward, only to be surprised when the rider has insufficient kinetic energy to traverse further up the uphill embankment portion and slides backwards to a new lower flume. For convenience of description, this effect is called a “surprise” effect or multiple reversing slide effect.

[0023] The remaining portions of the flume ride may repeat some of the same or similar effects or other effects as desired. Preferably, the various flume segments and slide effects have sufficient gradient such that overall ride duration is predictable to the ride operator. Thus, the ride in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention can sustain relatively high rider and/or ride vehicle throughput with start intervals of between about 10 to 20 seconds, and more preferably about 15 seconds, being possible.

[0024] The water flume ride of FIGS. 1-4 can be enjoyed by riders simply sliding their bodies along the flume, or, more preferably, riders may ride upon one or more ride mats or tubes as are well know in the art. Most preferably, integrally formed multi-tube ride vehicles are provided which accommodate three or more riders per vehicle with riders sitting facing one another and wherein the ride vehicle is omnidirectional such that its orientation is randomly and continuously determined as it slides down the water flume ride. FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one preferred example of an integral triple tube ride raft vehicle for use with the water flume ride of FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another preferred embodiment of an integral quadruple tube ride raft vehicle for use with the water flume ride of FIGS. 1-4.

[0025] Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A water flume ride comprising a primary flume portion, an uphill embankment, and an adjoining secondary flume portion, the secondary flume portion being in a direction substantially reverse from the primary flume portion, the length and height of the uphill portion being such that it is capable of depleting all of the kinetic energy of a rider traversing up the incline embankment and being configured to direct the rider to the secondary flume in a reverse direction. 